AMJON inducts MOWCA boss, Adalikwu as patron

The Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria (AMJON) will on Thursday induct the Secretary-General (SG) of the Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA) as patron.

His induction is part of programmes slated for this year’s AMJON conference and awards in Lagos, where other dignitaries and stakeholders would be recognised for their laudable impacts and contributions to the maritime industry.

The outgoing president of the association, Paul Ogbuokiri, said the event will bring together influential voices for collaborative dialogue and development of the maritime industry.

He described Adalikwu as a Nigerian by nationality, who was elected the SG of MOWCA at the association’s 16th Extraordinary Session of the General Assembly, held in Accra, Ghana from November 16 to 18, 2021, for the first term of four years, which is renewal for a second term.

He said Adalikwu’s stellar performance as MOWCA SG since his election has repositioned the organisation to play its pivotal role in the development of the marine and blue economy of the West and Central Africa region.

Ogbuokiri said the conference with the theme ‘Nigeria’s Maritime/Blue Economy Industry under the Renewed Hope Agenda: What is New’ is aimed at digging deep into the untapped Nigerian Blue Economy, which is estimated at $q11.9 trillion.

He stressed that the conference theme is expected to spark fresh national conversations on what President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and creation of the Marine and Blue Economy ministry holds for Nigeria.

According to him, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Adegboyega Oyetola will be the special guest of honour, while Dr Adalikwu will be the chairman of the occasion.

He said AMJON’s patron, Tony Nwabunike will induct the new patron and present the keynote address.

He said the event is expected to have the Executive Secretary of Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Barr Pius Akutah; Managing Director of Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority, Bola Oyebamiji; and other maritime chief executives as guests and participants.

Leveraging on the theme of the lecture, Ogbuokiri revealed that it would educate participants and stakeholders on the activities of the government and its agencies in actualizing the potential, prospects, and opportunities that abound in the blue economy sector.

“Stakeholders and investors shall be educated on the available opportunities and the conducive environment provided by the government for investments to grow and yield tangible returns on investments, ROI, in the sector,” Ogbuokiri said.

According to Ogbuokiri, the 2024 AMJON yearly lecture will be unique as it will feature the installation of patrons and matrons, presentation of awards to deserving Nigerians, and inauguration of the newly elected executives, led by Kelvin Kagbare, who shall pilot the affairs of the maritime journalists association for the next three years.